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Discussion on 2 hours of pasture to start?
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Member:
Fpony
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Posted on Sunday, Nov 17, 2002 - 7:08 am:
Hi,
WE will be moving to our new place in a few weeks.
Right, now my horses have no grass except an occassional munch on the lawn.
Our new place has 3 pastures and a dry paddock. The grass in 2 of the pastures was planted last fall and has been mowed 2 times. We have taken the horses over to graze a couple of times but for no longer than a half hour.
I had first come to search about how risky it is to put them on this late season grass, but it sounds like I can turn them out for 2 hours without an issue even in the summer? This makes me very nervous-So is it safe to say that they will surely be safe if turned out for an hour at a time at first no matter what time of year? ( the grass is 4 to 6 inches and is a mix with clover thick in places) Maybe, you ment 2 hours broken up over then day?
Of course, right now, we are getting snow but at least I'll know for next spring. Thanks Kim
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Sunday, Nov 17, 2002 - 9:45 am:
Surely be safe...no. I am afraid Kim that the single most common event associated with colic is a change in feed and sometimes horses don't even need that excuse. But the adjustment regimen we suggest balances risk and practicality. It does minimize the chance you might have a serious problem with the change but I do not know any regimen that can insure they not have a minor digestive up upset.
DrO
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Member:
Fpony
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Posted on Sunday, Nov 17, 2002 - 12:28 pm:
Well, the snow is 4 inches deep,now. I don't think I'll be worrying about grass this year.
Next spring when the grass is ready, does it decrease the risk to put them out 2 times for perhaps 30 to 45 min at a time? Giving their system a week to adjust then increase according to your schedule (doubling time with each week).
Two hour turn out seems like a lot to start with.?My initially idea of 20 mins and then adding 10 min each day seems excessively slow.
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Member:
Amara
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Posted on Sunday, Nov 17, 2002 - 8:22 pm:
Hi Kim, at the boarding stable i run we play it real safe, and i've never had anything but the slightest loose manure, occasionally..
we start 15 min/day, then add 15 min every other day...after 1 hr for 2-3 days, we then move up by 30 min. every 2 days...its actually pretty darn ridiculously slow, but as i have a bunch of worrywort high paying boarders, this keeps them quiet...
our pastures are pretty rich, and this way i dont have any problems...
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Nov 18, 2002 - 5:49 am:
Yes, the slower you go the less risk you run.
DrO
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